Paul O'Grady to the rescue!

A routine call from the police to JUST FOR DOGS - BRAILSFORD RESCUE & REHOMING CENTRE to collect a Cairn Terrier and a Bearded Collie found wandering the streets of Derby took a dramatic turn when it was found the mother had given birth to six puppies in the cold outside yard of the police station. However, when the puppies were three weeks old they were invited to join animal lover Paul and WESTLIFE on the PAUL O'GRADY TELEVISION SHOW. Within hours of their appearance on the programme JFD had received over 85 emails and phone calls all offering loving homes!

This is their story.

Poppy and her 'mate' had been found wandering together and had been taken into the home of an animal lover in the hope the owners could be found. After a week one of the dogs had become destructive, digging up the carpet etc. and so she took them to the local police station, who faxed us requesting that we collect two terriers.

When Doug arrived he discovered that although one was a cairn terrier x the other was in fact slightly larger and was crossed with a bearded collie. Both dogs appeared to be in an agitated state. The collie appeared relieved to see him and couldn't get out of the kennel quick enough, after he was placed in the van Doug returned to the kennel to find the other dog cowering in her bed, baring her teeth and snarling viciously. He had no alternative but to restrain the dog using a noose on a pole. However as he manoeuvred the dog off her bed he heard squealing and was shocked to find a litter of puppies underneath a wet sheet. There were six pups in all but sadly one had died.

Poor 'Poppy' had given birth in the most stressful of circumstances, the police kennels are merely 'holding pens' made of concrete and mesh, outdoors and even though her soul mate was with her she would have been frightened for her pups with him being in such close proximity and of course she was in a strange place and without the comfort and assurance of her owners!

As soon as she was back at our centre she settled in brilliantly and began to trust us almost immediately. She met up with her mate, on the exercise yard, a couple of times each day and was always pleased to see him, but she didn't like him venturing near the pups!

When the puppies were three weeks old we were contacted by a researcher for the Paul O'Grady Show, enquiring as to whether we had any interesting stories. We mentioned Poppy's story and within 4 days we were travelling to London! Poppy rose to the challenge like the trouper she is and bristled with pride at all the attention the puppies received backstage and was totally unfazed when members of Westlife wandered over to enquire about the pups. Band member Kian Egan showed great interest as he sat by Poppy and cuddled some of the pups.

Costume designer Amanda also showed interest in one of the pups and before the programme had finished had put one on reserve! He went to his new home just before Christmas, when Amanda travelled from her home in Hammersmith to collect him from JFD. We are regularly updated about his progress and this week he starts training classes.

Dad, now known as Dice is now living with Gill Raddings in Oxford who runs a company called Stunt Dogs, who train dogs for film and television, one such dog is Well'ard from Eastenders. Gill has also adopted one of the puppies and has christened him Grady. Both are training well and are sure to become big stars! Poppy is living the life of Riley in Chesterfield with another JFD rescue dog, Diesel, who was adopted from the centre nine years ago.

ANOTHER JFD DOG JOINS GILL AT STUNT DOGS

Phantom (now known as Joker) spent 10 long months at JFD. After being re-homed twice and returned both times for 'bad behaviour' he was spotted by Gill who thought she could make this bad boy good! He is now a member of a boy band whose latest video can be viewed on YouTube entitled Falling in Love (Doggy Style)...
 

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Latest Additions

The last six dogs through the door at Just For Dogs...

	Fred (Male) Crossbreed Approx 4 years old
	Raffles (Female) SBT Approx 4 years old
	William (Male) Boxer Cross Approx 12 weeks old
	Patsy (Female) SBT Cross Approx middle-aged
	Ebony (Female) Collie/Springer Cross Approx 3 years old
	Max (Male) Male SBT/Collie Cross Approx 1 year old

Recently Rehomed

Some of our residents who've now found a new home :o)

	Tinker Jack Russell Approx 5 months old
	Hobo Cairn Cross Approx 2-3 years old
	Chas Border Collie Approx 15 months old
	Tiffany JR Approx 1 year old
	Maddie JR Approx 1 year old
	Rascal Border Terrier Cross Approx 5 years old